CVE-2023-23771 in MBTS Base Radio
Summary
by MITRE • 08/29/2023
Motorola MBTS Base Radio accepts hard-coded backdoor password. The Motorola MBTS Base Radio Man Machine Interface (MMI), allowing for service technicians to diagnose and configure the device, accepts a hard-coded backdoor password that cannot be changed or disabled.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-23771 represents a critical security flaw in Motorola MBTS Base Radio systems that directly impacts the integrity and confidentiality of telecommunications infrastructure. This issue affects the Man Machine Interface component of the base radio system, which serves as the primary interface for service technicians to perform diagnostic and configuration tasks. The presence of a hard-coded backdoor password fundamentally compromises the security architecture of the device, as it provides unauthorized access pathways that bypass normal authentication mechanisms and cannot be modified or removed by system administrators.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the inclusion of a hardcoded credential within the device firmware that remains static across all installations. This backdoor password allows any individual possessing the knowledge of this hardcoded value to gain administrative access to the MMI interface without proper authorization. The flaw directly maps to CWE-798, which specifically addresses the use of hard-coded credentials in software, and represents a classic example of poor security design where authentication controls are implemented in a manner that cannot be dynamically managed or secured. The vulnerability exists at the application layer of the system architecture, specifically within the authentication subsystem of the MMI interface, making it particularly dangerous as it provides direct access to system configuration and diagnostic capabilities.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations relying on Motorola MBTS Base Radio systems for their telecommunications infrastructure. The backdoor access could enable attackers to perform unauthorized configuration changes, monitor network traffic, disable security features, or escalate privileges to gain deeper system access. The impact extends beyond simple unauthorized access as it allows for potential lateral movement within the network infrastructure, as the compromised MMI interface could serve as a foothold for further attacks. This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for credential harvesting, as the hardcoded password essentially provides a persistent credential that attackers can exploit without needing to perform complex attacks to obtain legitimate credentials.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action from affected organizations to assess their deployment of Motorola MBTS Base Radio systems and implement appropriate security controls. Organizations should first conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all affected devices and verify the presence of the hardcoded backdoor password. The recommended immediate response includes disabling the MMI interface when possible, implementing network segmentation to isolate affected systems, and monitoring network traffic for any unauthorized access attempts. Motorola has released firmware updates to address this vulnerability, and system administrators should prioritize applying these patches as soon as possible. Additionally, organizations should implement network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and establish incident response procedures specifically designed to handle this type of vulnerability. The long-term solution involves redesigning the authentication architecture to eliminate hardcoded credentials and implement proper credential management practices, aligning with security best practices outlined in standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001.